Sisters of
Sierra Leone celebrated their tenth anniversary at the Spring Valley United
Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. The commemoration coincided with the 47th
independence anniversary celebrations of Sierra Leone's independence from
Britain on April 27th, 1961.

The well
organized event was graced by a mammoth attendance of Sierra Leoneans and
friends of Sierra Leone within the Dallas – Fort Worth metropolis, as well as
guests from other neighboring communities. Upon arrival, attendees were treated
to a welcome kit comprising a pocket notebook, pen and other memorabilia, as
well as light refreshments at the end of the two hour program.

The ceremony
started at 4pm prompt. After guests had been seated, the sisters themselves were
ushered into the church service by the organization's current president, Mrs.
Yvonne Deen who was flanked by flag bearers of U.S and Sierra Leone flags. The event was hosted by the very articulate Mrs. Florence Campbell (See Picture).

President - Mrs
Yvonne Deen

Newest member - Hawa
Sesay

Hostess - Florence
Wright

Sisters of Sierra Leone

Guest pastor
was Dr. Corrie Kent. She delivered a sermon with accent on the mission of
mankind in the fulfillment of God’s plan on earth. In her message, entitled,
“women of strength”, she accentuated the importance of giving back to the
community. The congregation broke into a resounding applause when she told them
her husband had spent thousands of dollars helping our beloved nation, and that
the organization will spend thousands more to help our war and poverty stricken
nation.

Dr Corrie Kent,
who has never been to Sierra Leone herself, told the audience that her presence
was felt every time her husband has gone to the country to distribute gifts and
donations. Doctors Corrie and Charles Kent presently reside in Texas, where they
run a
charity organization called Joseph Outreach Enterprise based in Texas.

Over the past five years, their charity organization has helped the people of
Sierra Leone receive with clothes, books, shoes, medicines and other
necessities. For more information about their outreach, please visit:
www.josephoutreach.org.

Drs. Corrie & Charles
Kent

Dr. Charles Kent

Mr. Gustave Coker -
Guest

Sisters of Sierra Leone is a
non-profit organization founded ten years ago by women with
roots or ties to Sierra
Leoneresiding in the Dallas Metropolis. The
group was formed with the aim of helping displaced women and children in
war-torn Sierra Leone.

The organization’s focus is dedicated to helping women and children who
have been victims of amputations, rapes, emotional instability and child
soldiering.

Since its founding, Sisters of Sierra Leone has demonstrated its
commitment of empowering community leadership, and development by rendering
medical help to the amputees, adopting and supporting displaced children,
providing educational resources, clothing, and food.

The group has partnered with organizations such as mercy
ships, to help disabled and mobility impaired victims, the University of Texas
Arlington's "Books for Africa" program, and Daystar volunteers made up of
nurses, doctors, pastors and friends of Sierra Leone in to take their expertise
every year to provide emotional, physical and medical help to the people of
Sierra Leone.

Major
and long term goals of Sisters of Sierra Leone include the establishment of
mobile clinics, micro-lending; housing for displaced women and children, women’s
shelter, and continued sustenance to the maternity hospitals.